The latest UDICE Plus report reveals shocking data, prompting calls from Muslim education leaders to verify records before shutting down rural schools
MUMBAI – In a startling revelation, the Unified District Information System for Education (UDICE Plus) has reported that 394 schools across Maharashtra, including several in Mumbai, have no students at all for the 2025–26 academic year. The report also shows that 7,946 schools have between one and ten students, raising serious concerns about the future of rural education in the state.
Despite these figures, the total student enrolment in Maharashtra has reportedly increased compared to the previous year, suggesting possible discrepancies in data collection. Education Commissioner Suchandra Pratap Singh has, therefore, ordered a district-level inquiry to verify the status of schools showing zero enrolment.
According to official data, the Education Department had directed 1,08,396 schools across the state to upload student details on the UDICE portal by 30 September 2025. As of that date, 394 schools showed no students registered. The highest number of such schools is in Pune (37), followed by Ratnagiri (24), Nagpur (23) and Nanded (16). In Mumbai, 22 schools in the suburbs and five in the city reported zero enrolment.
The report also highlights that 7,946 schools have just one to ten students enrolled. Ratnagiri leads with 713 such schools, followed by Raigad (682), Pune (627), Sindhudurg (569) and Kolhapur (317). Even in Mumbai suburbs, 360 schools have fewer than ten students.
There are 52,573 schools in the state with between 11 and 100 students, of which the highest numbers are in Ahmednagar, Pune and Nashik.
While rural schools show declining enrolment, the overall picture is somewhat positive. The total number of registered students from Class I to XII has reached 2.08 crore, an increase of over 7,000 students from the previous year. However, details of nearly five lakh students are still pending entry on the portal — a factor that could alter the final figures.
Education Commissioner Singh has directed local education officers to personally visit schools that show no students. “Officials must verify whether these schools are actually closed or if the data is incomplete. The results and conditions of schools with one to ten students are also under study. Future decisions will depend on this review,” the Commissioner’s circular stated.
Muslim educators and organisations have voiced strong concern over the findings, warning against any hasty closure of rural schools, particularly those serving marginalised communities.
Speaking to Clarion India, Sajid Nisar, General Secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Urdu Shikshak Sangh, said:
“The report of the UDICE Plus portal is worrying, especially for rural and Urdu-medium schools. But technical difficulties in remote areas must also be considered. Many schools face poor internet connectivity, making it difficult to complete online registration.”
He further appealed to the State Education Minister, Deepak Kesarkar, not to rush into closing any schools before the data is fully updated.
“In the 394 schools showing zero enrolment, the problem may not be the absence of students but technical failure in uploading details. Around five lakh student records are still pending on the portal. A final decision should only be taken after verifying all entries,” he said.
Nisar also suggested extending the registration deadline: “The last date for entering student data should be pushed from September 30 to October 30, and verification should be based on the updated records by then.”
Education activists have emphasised the need for stronger digital infrastructure in rural areas. A member of the Maharashtra Urdu Teachers’ Federation, who requested anonymity, said: “Urdu-medium and rural schools often face electricity cuts and weak mobile networks. Blaming schools for zero enrolment without addressing these issues is unfair. The government must first improve access to technology before punishing schools.”
Several education groups have demanded that the state government protect rural institutions and provide special support to minority schools that play a crucial role in local literacy.
The UDICE Plus report has reopened debates about the state’s commitment to equitable education. Many teachers argue that closing rural and Urdu-medium schools could deprive thousands of poor children of access to learning. As the government reviews the figures, education activists hope that no school will be shut down without proper investigation.
